Fun with pinecones, sidewalk chalk and letters

Having the kids at home this week has really put a cramp into my blogging schedule. I usually brainstorm my topics, write 'em and post 'em in the fleeting hour between when my 3-year-old takes her nap and my 5-year-old comes home from kindergarten on the school bus. But we did do something kind of fun while the little one was napping today. We wrote out some letters on the driveway, then outlined them using some pine cones we'd gathered on a nature walk earlier this month.

We thought about writing "gobble, gobble" or "happy turkey day" but it was a little too chilly and windy to spend much time outside today!! At the very least, it'll be a nice greeting for Cheap-o as he rides home on his newly tuned up used bike, recently purchased off Craigslist (he was able to justify the cost of the bike from money saved on gasoline). Sadly, he did have to drive his car to work during the severe rainy days of earlier this week, and filled his gas tank a few days shy of Thanskgiving. But he's been a real trooper, having only filled his gas tank twice in the past two seasons. He's ridden his bike on a lot of days I would have easily made excuses and opted for the car. So as we celebrate Thanksgiving this year, I'm thankful for:

• a husband who bike rides for health and gas-savings
• two lovely little girls who ask me so many questions, I think my brain is going to explode, but always make me laugh and smile
• beloved family both near and far
• good friends who come here, share ideas and challenges, and teach me a whole lot about being green...

Happy Thanksgiving!! What are you thankful for?